Lightning Lounge premieres Thursday, Oct. 23

It’s lightning! The University of New Mexico hosts its first Lightning Lounge titled "Flora, Fauna and Facebook" on Thursday, Oct. 23. Additional Lightning Lounge events are scheduled for Nov. 13 and Dec. 10. Each will be held at the Facutly-Staff Club from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The Lightning Lounge events are open to all faculty and staff. Snacks will be provided and a cash bar is also available.

Each lounge consists five presenters with seven minutes discussing their concepts with time allotted for comments and questions. Topics in the first lounge range from “Food Systems Theory: The Whole Enchilada” by Professor Bruce Milne in Sustainability Studies to the “Effect of Walnut Consumption on Cognitive Performance” by Associate Professor Peter Pribis in the College of Education.

Associate Provost for Faculty Development Virginia Scharff put together the mix of short talks from faculty to help people converse more freely and harmoniously in an informal atmosphere about the research that the faculty conducts across campus.

"We're really looking forward to getting together to hear about research across the university in a fun and engaging format, and to celebrating the work we love," Scharff said. “The Lightning Lounge events are designed to be informative, laid-back and friendly with the hopes to entertain while sharing research only found in universities.”